Who is likely to contemplate Giaan – Spiritual Wisdom

Giaan (ਗਿਆਨ) = Divine Knowledge, Spiritual Wisdom… There is expression to the effect that knowledge is the power. As indicated by the Gurbani, Giaan (Divine Knowledge, Spiritual Wisdom…) is indeed the Power. Even kings, rich, effluents, leaders, etc., had to and have to bow before those with Giaan. In Gurdwaras, we all bow (regardless of social status) before Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Thus nothing is equal to the Giaan.

Therefore, one who values Giaan for its own sake, stands to benefit in the long run. But, not everybody is likely to value Giaan for its own sake. Then the question is: Who is most likely to engage in Vichaar (contemplate, pay attention, reflect, think, investigate, inner inquiry, ਖੋਜ…) of the Giaan? The Gurbani answers this question for us as follows:

As asserted by the Gurbani, in order for one to contemplate the Giaan (Divine Knowledge, Spiritual Wisdom…), the prerequisite is to have , Divine Virtues (Goodness, merits, holy, inner purity, Gurmukh Lifestyle, piety, ਭਲਾਈ, ਭਲੇ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ…). Without having cultivated the Treasure of Divine Virtues(Goodness, merits, holy, inner purity, Gurmukh Lifestyle, ਭਲਾਈ…), its unlikely for one to contemplate, reflect or engage in Shabad-Vichhar. So the Gurbani asserts that those who have the Treasure Virtues, contemplate the Giaan (ਜਿਨਾ ਪੋਤੈ ਪੁੰਨੁ ਸੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ: Jinaa potai punnu se giaan beechaaree, sggs 160).

Thus, the practice of Vichaar in particular relates to Giaan (Spiritual Wisdom, Divine Knowledge…). Not knowledge or wisdom in the intellectual sense — but the knowledge of Aatamaa and Parmaatam and the realization of their Oneness. Therefore, Vichaar, then, is the Inner-Inquiry and the search for the Truth within. This Divine Knowledge reveals the Truth to be of the nature of Being-Awareness-Bliss: eternal, infinite, formless, imperishable, limitless, perfect, full-and-filling.

In nutshell, thus, one who values Giaan for its own sake, stands to benefit in the long run. For example:

All of this is possible, because, those who have cultivated the Treasure of Virtues within (Goodness, merits, holy, inner purity, Gurmukh Lifestyle, ਭਲਾਈ…) go to the Guroo in good faith, earnestness, sincerity, without Pakhandbaazee (ਪਖੰਡ)…